Device on harnesses for parachutes fitted with quick release device



March 27, 1951 c. H. LUNDHOLM DEVICE ON HARNESSES FOR PARACHUTES FITTED WITH QUICK RELEASE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1947 Ina m @571 CW! H. Lanahalm March 27, 1951 c LUNDHOLM 2,546,763

DEVICE 0N HARNESSES FOR PARACHUTES FITTED 4 WITH QUICK RELEASE DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inn/liar (0/ H. A and/m/m By s s? fiqenl:

Patented Mar. 27, 1951 DEVICE ON HARNESSES FOR PARACHUTES FITTED WITH QUICK RELEASE DEVICE Carl Herman Lundholm, Stockholm, Sweden Application August 7, 1947, Serial No. 767,084

In Sweden May 10, 1940 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires May 10, 1960 .The present invention relates to a device for parachute harnesses fitted with a so called quick release device. Its chief object is to provide means so that two straps passing between the legs of the wearer and fastened in the quick release'device are effectively carried to the sides, and, at the same time, the said straps are freed quickly, after they have been released from the quick release device. Still another object is to produce a simple and convenient harness to wear during and after the jump.

The invention refers principally to that category of harnesses which are provided with a U- shaped strap, which is preferably a continuation of the suspension straps leading to the parachute, and is adapted to pass under the seat of the wearer. At the lower portion of the strap, called the seat strap, there are arranged two other straps, leg straps, which inuse, pass between the legs of the wearer upwards at the front, then, through loop shaped members arrangedat the lower part of the harness by which they are carried slidably to the sides and finally releasably fastened in the quick release device. a When the latter is opened, the leg straps are first disengaged from the same, and are then intended to slide through the loop shaped members mentioned, whereby the wearer gets free from the leg straps and the rest of the harness.

The principal object of the invention is to effect a new and useful improvement of the said loop shaped members.

It is already known to make the said loop shaped members of short straps of the same material as used in the rest of the harness, both ends of such straps being connected to the uprising portions of the U-shaped strap. In order to reduce the friction between those straps and the leg straps, when the latter slide through, the former are bordered with some smooth material such as leather. This device, however, has certain drawbacks. Thus there may arise a tightening of the leg straps around the thighs of the parachutist during the jump, which is very inconvenient. Further the side carrying straps may clinch the leg straps during their passage, and finally the former, when exposed to moisture, may present a substantial friction to the latter.

In an old type of parachute harness, two substantially rectangular rings of metal have been proposed through which rings leg-encircling straps are slidably passed and then releasably connected in the quick release device. -Apart from the fact that there is no U-shaped strap passing under the seat of the wearer to which the 18 Claims. (Cl. 244-451) leg straps may be connected, the shape of the said rings is such that they are hardly suitableof a U-shaped strap under the seat makes this harness very uncomfortable during a jump, the whole weight of the bodyof the jumper being taken up by the leg-encircling leg straps.

According to the present invention all the said drawbacks have been removed.

In addition to means for facilitating and expediting the passage of the leg straps through the loop shaped members, means are proposed, by which the maximum load of the parachutist during a jump is taken up by the U-shaped strap thereby eliminating any inconvenient tightening of the leg straps around his legs.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means for increasing the comfort of the upper portion of the harness during the jump by removing the suspension straps leading to the parachute, from the head of the jumper.

With respect to the loop shaped members for carrying the leg straps effectively to the sides, two new forms of construction are proposed, both being rigid members fixed to the U-strap by special straps. The said rigid members are characterized in that the inner portions of the same, adjacent the portion against which the leg straps in use are adapted to slide, are bent obtusely from the said portion thereby producing a wide loop with no risk of sticking even if snap hooks are used as fastening members for the harness looking device.

The first form consists of a staff shaped member preferably of metal with a substantially straight middle portion but Whose ends are arranged at rather obtuse angles to that portion viz. preferably not less than about 140 degrees. In these ends, slots are provided for the fixing of one short strap in each end. The middle portion is preferablyabout 6 cm. long. The ends' are in use directed'towards the longitudinal middle of the harness in front of the wearer. Through this arrangement a rather wide loop is obtained which permits the fastening members of any sort, thus also snap hooks, to pass through I unhindered. All edges being rounded, the passage is also very smooth.

In order to prevent the leg straps from falling down upon any of the fastening straps, the free portion of the lower fastening straps has a length of 10 tol2. cm. and is fixed to the U-shaped strap at a distance of 20 to 25 cm. from its centre under the seat of the wearer. The free portion of the upper fastening strap has preferably a length of 8 to cm. and is placed at a distance of about cm. from the lower one. With such an arrangement, the middle portion of the metal member, on a properly adjusted harness, gets situated at the upper end of the groin of the wearer. Further the lower fastening straps form substantially right angles in relation to the uprising pore tions of the U-straps, by reason of which the leg straps slide through easily, even if they should be slack, which is usually the case, when the aviator takes off the harness when standing still on the ground.

In order to remove the risk of thestaff shaped member tilting over towards the centre of the harness when exposed to a strain, the ends of the same are made much broader, than the middle portion, or about 22 mm. as against 10mm. for the latter. The longitudinal sides: of the. ends, which in use are turned to the sides, are preferably 12 min, the: slot 5mm. and theother longitudinal sides 5 mm,

quick release device arefitted With'snap hooks which may presentthe risk of getting stuck anywhere, the middle portion of the staff shaped memberis made fairly thick or-about' 10.1mm. as

against about 4mm. for the ends of the same; Further all edges of the said member'are rounded off. To facilitate a smooth passage of theilegstraps, the adjustment buckles should. be placed as low as possible, so that they do not have'to passthestaff' shaped member on'release. Finally, the shoulders, which arise at: the point of fixture of the strap ends through the webbing, being folded doubly, should be removed, by arranging a short rectangular piece of leather or some other Y suitable material of tapering-thickness at'the said-point.

In order to increase the: convenience of the harness for the'aviator duringa jump, an .addi'-' tional strap of about cm. is preferably; ar.-

ranged at the middle of the lower fastening strap i and,with its other end, at arathersharp angle to the seat strap. Such a strap has proved to be a good support for the outside of the thigh of the wearer during a jump- The'second form of construction consists of a rounded 'ring'arranged-"at each side of the-lower portion of the harness by means of'two short straps. The said-ring maybe substantiall cir- It is: also advantageous toprovidetheportionof the stafiends adjoining;

cular Or oval. If circular, the diameter'should be at least mm, if oval, the breadth minimum 80 min-and the height 60 mmzor about /3-of the height. In-an oval ring, it is advantageous that the portion which in use isdirected towards the middle of the harness be somewhat broaderthan the opposite end. Slots for fixing the fastening straps are providedat the lateral short end and the lower longitudinal side, the former strap being about 10 cm. long and arranged 40 cm. from the centre of the -U-strap under the seat at an angleof about 60 degrees, the latter strap being 4 about 20 cm. from the said centre at an angle of about degrees.

Inaddition to fixing the ring the lower fastening strap serves as a support for the thigh of the jumper thereby increasing the comfort during. a jump.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a parachute harness with staff shaped members.

Fig. 2 shows a staii shaped member with fastening straps and part of a leg strap.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the staff shaped member.

Fig; 4 shows. a lateral view of a staff shaped member.

Fig.5 shows a rhomboid buckle for the suspension straps.

Fig. 6 is a harness with a substantially oval ring attached by two straps.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an oval ring.

i are the; upper? portions. of the: suspension straps leading to. the. parachute;-

le'g' strap. i are. theupp'er'portions o'f the sus pension. straps which. are: releasably fastened in the quick release device. 3are twostra s wnicn cross each other on the ba'ck of th'e' wearer.- 4'

shows a waist" strap. are the" upper and 6 are the lower fastening straps for the rigid member? 1' is a support strap of support for the outside of II, i2 are buckles for the adju'stmentof the leg- 13 is a'str'ap onth'e straps and the waist I strap. I back, shortly below the'n'eck of thewearer; and serves to join the suspension straps.- M'isa handle for the manual release oi'th'e parachute, I5 is a releasing cable leading'fromthe handle !6' is a broad strap for H are fastening" to' the parachute. attaching of the handle l4; members at the free strap ends. it is the middle portion, it the upper end and H9 the lowerend' of the staff shaped member 53; the same for'the fixing Of the'fastening strapsii andii. 2| is the longitudinalside of the end I9 directed inwards, and 22 the long, side directed 23 is a nose 'shaped projection on the'staff' shaped member I8. 24 are sewing holes for securing ofthe fastening outwards of the ends l5, Is

strap 6. 25 are the upper broad slots'and 26 the lower narrow slots of the rhomboid shaped buckles i0. 2! shows a substantially oval'ring',the main* portion being designated 2? and the slotsfor flX-' ing the fastening straps 27 Several variations-within the scope of the in vention are possible'without departing from the principle thereof.

Having now described the invention andthe manner in'which'the same is performed, what I claim is:

1. Device on' a harness for parachutes fitted i is the lo wer U-shape'd portionzof' the. suspensionstraps' o'f-the'" 9 ShOWS the stall? shaped leg straps' 'are adapted to slide in use are bent obtusely from the said portion'and which memher is connected to the U-shapedstrap preferably by means -of special fastening straps! 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid member is fixed to the U-shaped strap by at least two fastening straps.

3. A device according to claim 1, in which the rigid member consists of a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions,said end portions being adapted for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming obtuse angles in relation to the middle portion and being in use directed to the longitudinal middle line of the harness in front of the wearer.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which the rigid member consists of a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions, said end portions being adapted for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming btuse angles in relation to the middle portion and being in use directed to the longitudinal middle line'of the harness in front of the wearer, the said end portions being arranged at angles of not less than 140 degrees relatively to the middle portion.

5. A device according to claim 1 having a rigid member with a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions. said end por-- tions being adapted for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming obtuse angles in relation to the middle portion and being, in use, directed to the longitudinal middle line of the harness in front of the wearer, the middle portion of the said rigid member, in a properly adjusted harness, being situated about the upper end of the groin of the wearer.

6. A device according to claim 1 having a rigid member with a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions, said end portions being provided with longitudinal slot for the attachment of the fastening straps and form ing obtuse angles in relation to the middle portion, said ends being in use directed to the longitudinal middle line or the harness in front of the wearer, and at least twice as broad as the middle portion, the longitudinal portions of said ends which in use are directed outwards to the sides of the harness being about twice as broad as the longitudinal portions, which are directed inwards to the longitudinal middle line thereof in front of the wearer.

7. A device according to claim 1 having a rigid member with a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions, said end portions being provided with longitudinal slots for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming obtuse angles in relation. to the middle portion, said ends being, in use, directed inwards to the longitudinal middle line of the harness in front of the wearer, the said end portions being further provided with nose-shaped projections which are arranged at those sides thereof, which in use, are directed outwards to the sides of'the harness, said projections serving to prevent the rigid member from tilting over when the harness is subjected to the load of the wearer and also to increase the smooth sliding surface for the leg straps.

8. A device according to claim 1 having a rigid member which consists of a substantially straight middle portion and two opposite end portions, said end portions being adapted for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming obtuse angles in relation to the middle portion and being in use directed to the longitudinal middle line member which consists of a substantially straight middle portion and, two opposite end portions, said end portions being adapted for the attachment of the fastening straps and forming obtuse angles in relation to the middle portion and being in use directed inwards to the longitudinal middle line of the harness in front of the wearer, the rigid member being connected to the uprising portions of the U-shaped seat strap by means of two fastening straps, the one being arranged above the other, an additional strap being arranged with the upper end secured to the lower fastening strap and the lower end at a relatively acute angle to the seat strap.

10. A device on a harness for parachutes fitted with a quick release device and a U-shaped strap adapted to be passed under the seat of the wearer to which two leg straps are connected which, in use, pass between the legs of the wearer upwards at the front of the wearer, thencarried slidably to the sides through loop-shaped members arranged at the lower part of the harness, and finally releasably fastened in the quick release device, said loop-shaped members consisting of rigid rings preferably of metal which rings are connected to the U-shaped strap by means of at least two fastening straps.

11. A. device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rigid rings are connected to the U-shaped strap each by one upper and one lower fastening strap, the upper strap being connected to the uprising portion of the U-shaped strap and at the outer end of the ring, whereas the lower strap is connected to the lower seat portion of the U-shaped strap and to the lower edge of the 7 ring.

" the rigid. rings are connected to the U-shaped strap by one upper and one lower fastening strap,

the upper strap be ng connected to the uprising portion of the U-shaped strap and at the outer end of the ring, whereas the lower strap is connected to the lower seat portion of the U-shaped strap and to the lower edge of the ring, the distance from the centre of the U-shaped seat strap to the point of attachment of the upper fastening strap being substantially four times the free length of said fastening strap.

14. A device according to claim 10, in which the rigid ring is connected by one upper and one lower fastening strap the upper strap being connected to the uprising portion of the ,U-shaped strap at an angle of about degrees and the lower strap at an angle of about 120 degrees relatively to the underlying portions of the U-strap.

15. A device according to claim 10 in which the rigid ring is of substantially circular shape.

16. A device according to claim 10, in which the rigid ring is of substantially oval shape.

17. A device according to claim 10 in which the rigid ring is of substantially oval shape, the height thereof being about two thirds of the width.

18. A device according to claim 10, in which the rigid ring is of substantially oval shape, the end of said ring which in use is directed inwards towards the longitudinal middle line of theharness being somewhat wider than the opposite end.

CARL HERMAN LUNDHOLM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 10 Number Name .Date Eames' Mar. 1, 1870 Parvin Apr. 23, 1907 I-Iamley July 21, 1925 Knight Dec. 20, 1938 Manson June 30, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 28, 1930 France July 23, 1934 

